Medical Waste Disposal: Complete Guide
Proper medical waste disposal has been and always will be a big concern in the United States. This isn’t to say healthcare providers don’t do their jobs when it comes to properly disposing of medical waste; it just means there are many dangers involved when it’s not disposed of properly. Most healthcare facilities use medical waste removal companies to discard the contents in their bins. These services are responsible for ensuring the waste goes through the proper steps for disposal. Here are some of the ins and outs you may not know about medical waste.
Why Treating Medical Waste Disposal Seriously is Vital
Everyday household waste is bad enough for our environment, but medical waste could cause even more serious issues. For one, it is a health risk. When you’re talking about needles, syringes, gloves, tubes and other medical items, people could catch diseases if they come in contact with these items. The job of a medical waste service is to provide biohazard waste containers to ensure none of the germs and bacteria become airborne. This not only includes healthcare facilities, but later during the disposal process as well.
Collecting Medical Waste
Anyone working in a medical facility has to be aware of what items they put in a disposal container. If a contaminated item gets placed in a common waste bin, the entire bin is considered contaminated and needs to be addressed right away. Most medical waste removal companies will provide bins that clearly identify which items need to go in them, so there is a lower risk of confusion.
Transporting Medical Waste
Medical waste companies have stringent guidelines when it comes to transporting medical waste. They also have to meet certain requirements when it comes to storing medical waste for any length of time. These companies have special vehicles, containers and protective devices to ensure the safe transportation of waste from medical facilities to the destination where it gets treated.
Treating and Disposing Medical Waste
The entire process of treating and disposing of medical waste has several steps. We’ve already discussed collecting and transporting the waste, but then sterilizers, compactors, shredders and recycling methods are used to finish the process. Some waste even goes through an incineration process to convert it to heat, gas or ash.
When the proper steps are taken to safely collect, transport and treat medical waste, the common landfill can be used for disposal. The treatment process removes the contamination factor from the waste, so it will act like everyday waste at that point.
If you need medical waste disposal in Houston, Medsharps should be the first place you call. We use cutting edge technology and equipment to ensure proper medical waste disposal from the time the tool gets used until the time it gets safely discarded in a landfill. Be sure to contact us to learn more about how our services can help you.
